Round swelling appeared near chickens beak

[BantamLover2005]

One of our adult polish bantam chickens developed a swelling near her beak this morning. Not sure how long its been there for as I didn't closely inspect her until now (last time was maybe a few days ago?) Theres no change in behaviour and she seems to be eating and drinking well, just has this ominous looking bump near her mouth and I'm wondering if its a canker? I just really hope we dont need to do another expensive vet visit as we've had a lot in the last couple of months for various reasons but nothing like this. Is it something that can be treated at home?

FYI: We have some antibiotics in store from our last vet visit but any home remedies would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

An abscessed peck wound or tumor/cyst could be possible. The marks look like it was pecked or injured. Is it soft or hard or smooth or irregular? You could try to (disinfect it) lance it with a sterile scalpel blade and see if there is pus inside.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Could also be an abscess from inside the mouth as well (thorn, poked it on a stick or wire pecking at something) happily you know it isn’t an abscesses tooth! Since it isn’t in a vital area slicing it open is fine (no major veins or nerves underneath). White or green stuff is pus: abscess. Red is hematoma: think bruise. Clear is serum: probably a cyst. Solid is a mass or cyst. Be bold and using a sharp knife (utility knife or scalpel is great) be bold and slice deep/wide. No weenie holes or it will reseal and you will have an abscess! Flush it with some peroxide the next couple days, keep it open and draining and keep the flies out of it (catron or wipe bird safe insect repellent around not in the wound). Mass or cyst Probably won’t dry up and fall off but others will.

 

[BantamLover2005]

Could also be an abscess from inside the mouth as well (thorn, poked it on a stick or wire pecking at something) happily you know it isn’t an abscesses tooth! Since it isn’t in a vital area slicing it open is fine (no major veins or nerves underneath). White or green stuff is pus: abscess. Red is hematoma: think bruise. Clear is serum: probably a cyst. Solid is a mass or cyst. Be bold and using a sharp knife (utility knife or scalpel is great) be bold and slice deep/wide. No weenie holes or it will reseal and you will have an abscess! Flush it with some peroxide the next couple days, keep it open and draining and keep the flies out of it (catron or wipe bird safe insect repellent around not in the wound). Mass or cyst Probably won’t dry up and fall off but others will.

Thank you to everyone who replied! Will try and let you know.

 

[BantamLover2005]

Could also be an abscess from inside the mouth as well (thorn, poked it on a stick or wire pecking at something) happily you know it isn’t an abscesses tooth! Since it isn’t in a vital area slicing it open is fine (no major veins or nerves underneath). White or green stuff is pus: abscess. Red is hematoma: think bruise. Clear is serum: probably a cyst. Solid is a mass or cyst. Be bold and using a sharp knife (utility knife or scalpel is great) be bold and slice deep/wide. No weenie holes or it will reseal and you will have an abscess! Flush it with some peroxide the next couple days, keep it open and draining and keep the flies out of it (catron or wipe bird safe insect repellent around not in the wound). Mass or cyst Probably won’t dry up and fall off but others will.

This might be a silly question but how do I stop it from hurting her? Do i just go straight in and slice it or give her some pain relief beforehand?

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you answer if it is soft or hard? Can you look inside the beak on that side and let us know if there is any yellow or other material inside the beak? I would not give anything for pain. Just get everything all together including a towel and another person to wrap her like a burrito, so that you can work on her. Make sure that she is breathing. Don’t make a huge incision, just lance it, and try to squeeze something out of it.

 

[BantamLover2005]

Can you answer if it is soft or hard? Can you look inside the beak on that side and let us know if there is any yellow or other material inside the beak? I would not give anything for pain. Just get everything all together including a towel and another person to wrap her like a burrito, so that you can work on her. Make sure that she is breathing. Don’t make a huge incision, just lance it, and try to squeeze something out of it.

Sorry for the late reply. I havent been able to attend to her due to a personal commitment so we left her as is as she was well and eating and she didn't seem poorly. The lump developed a yellow centre. Its hard but I wasn't able to squeeze it as she was quite fidgety and kept moving. Not sure what it is now. Maybe the pus could've leaked out and solidified? Doesnt feel wet just dry. Sorry for the poor quality photos she wouldn't stay still. Any other suggestions would be amazing thanks. (She was also eating grass so theres a bit still left in her mouth)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The lump developed a yellow centre. Its hard but I wasn't able to squeeze it as she was quite fidgety and kept moving. Not sure what it is now. Maybe the pus could've leaked out and solidified? Doesnt feel wet just dry.

Chicken pus is somewhat hard.

Wrap her in a towel to capture her wings, she will be easier to handle.
Flush the wound with saline or diluted chlorhexidine, push the pus out, then flush heavily again.